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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Our Little Mancat

Today is the one year anniversary of Beignet joining Sweet Praline at the Bridge. Beignet was destined to be such a fine little mancat, but God had other plans for him. We believe God needed the gentle purrs and playful antics of a little silver shaded gentlemancat to sit beside him. Beignet was Truffle's littermate and was scheduled to come live with us but died from a vaccine associated sarcoma (VAS) at 11 weeks of age. Our thoughts are also with Mom Terri as she remembers this sweet little boy today. We'll always love you, little brother!

Beignet at 11 weeks of age

We haven't shared this story about Beignet with you yet, so we thought today was the most appropriate time. As many of you know, our sister-before-us, Sweet Praline, left for the Bridge on April 25, 2011. Losing another fur child within a few months from that awful cancer was very upsetting to Mom Paula. Mom Paula was so afraid that Mom Terri would want to keep Truffle for herself and Mom Terri was afraid Mom Paula wouldn't want Truffle anymore. After losing her littermate, Truffle would following Mom Terri around the house and stay very close to her, even while the other kittens from Zoey were playing. Truffle and Mom Terri developed a close bond during this time. Mom Paula held her breath those two weeks before Truffle came to live with her, afraid that Mom Terri would change her mind and want to keep Truffle. Mom Paula shouldn't have worried because Mom Terri knew Truffle belonged to us!

Truffle and Beignet at 11 weeks of age

Mom Terri always brings a bag full of goodies to all of the new human mom and dads. Truffle's goodies were in a bright yellow bag (Mom Paula still has this bag). As Mom Terri was showing Mom Paula all of Truffle's goodies, Mom Terri said, "I know today was the day that both Truffle and Beignet were supposed to come live with you. I've brought part of him today to always be with both of you" and Mom Terri pulled out this beautiful little urn with some of Beignet's ashes. Both Mom Paula and Mom Terri cried together over their mutual love of this little mancat. Mom Terri is such a special person. Who would have ever thought that she'd share Beignet's ashes with Mom Paula? Beignet has a special place in the curio cabinet beside Sweet Praline.

Beignet's Urn

Note from Mom Paula:It's with mixed emotions that I post about Beignet today. I was so emotionally distraught after losing Sweet Praline that I didn't know if I could ever love another fur child again. It was through the support of the Cat Blogosphere that I found that strength to move forward. When Truffle and Beignet were born, my heart opened up again to these small furry babies. I was able to visit with Truffle and Beignet three times before they were scheduled to come live with me. After Terri found the tumor and Beignet had his first surgery, I asked to come down to visit and she graciously agreed. I was able to spend a few hours with Beignet on that Saturday, August 20. Beignet was active and friendly that day, even though he had a large incision on his side. Little did Terri or I know that the biopsy would come back as cancer and that we would lose Beignet 3 days later on the operating table. Beignet will always have a special place in my heart and will always be my little mancat. God blessed us with another pregnant cat and Brulee was born 4 days after Beignet went to the bridge. I truly believe that we may not always understand why things happen, but that a another door is opened when one is closed. The Cat Blogosphere reached out to both Terri and me when we lost Beignet and we'll both be forever grateful. So, today, I'm pausing from the antics of Truffle and Brulee to remember our little Beignet. I know Sweet Praline is looking after him at the bridge and he's probably driving her crazy.

Mom Paula with Beignet (Mom Chloe in background) 3 days before he left for the Bridge.

Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas (VAS) are a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It's important for owners to talk with their veterinarians about required and necessary vaccinations for your fur children. Beignet was that 1 in 10,000 who developed this form of cancer at such a young age.

The entire CB fell madly in love with this little mancat, even though he was still a tiny baby.We all miss him so much.And I think of him so often, he was such a sweet boy.KC dedicated her bloggie to him today.Sending Love & Purrs to Mom Paula and Truffle.Mom ML, KC and Kitties

Thank you for sharing your memories of Beignet today. My human and I were both very touched, especially that Terri brought you the urn with some of his ashes. She is a very special human and really loves the babies that she raises.

oh my goodness thank you for your post...it helps me too...you know what I mean Paula. how quickly little Beignet touched all of our hearts...forever in our hearts is where he belongs.holding you close, now and always!

I sure do remember that horribly sad day. I felt so bad for Beignet and you too Mom Paula. I think one wonderful thing that came out of this so sad trip to the bridge is that you and Terri became really good friends. Anyway sending tons of hugs and purrs to both you Paula and Terri. Love the pictures.

We were so sad when sweet little Beignet went to the Bridge - we know you must still feel the hole he left in your heart. Just give those two pretty girls a kiss and a cuddle it will help you feel a little better.Luv Hannah and Lucy's Mum Sue x

Such a lovely tribute to such a sweet kitty. We send purrs to you Paula and to Terri too. I was a sad time.We bet he and Praline are having a blast at the Bridge :)Purrs Tillie and Georgia,Tiger,Treasure,JJ and Julie

I didn't get here yesterday and I wish I had. As with all of we moms, I know how it is to lose a beloved furchild. I love reading about Beignet and seeing him again along with Chloe and all of the babies you have loved that you have shared with us.

Beignet, you and dear Sweet Praline will be waiting for your mom just as Robin and Hopping John and Admiral will be waiting on my mom. I will be there too and we will all be joyous by and by, mom Paula.